Kyle Emerson - “May You Find Peace”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 2

Pairs Well With…Wilco, Brett Dennen, Lord Huron

Classic rock and warm, alt country leaning atmospheres inform Kyle Emerson’s sophomore record Only Coming Down, a cohesive album anchored by the Denver-based artist’s rock-solid songwriting. Breezy Southern and Californian rock sets the foundation for Emerson’s sound, sweetly comfortable and washing his instrumentation together instead of having anything stand out above the rest. It’s a band record, tightly grooving in moments both sunny and cool. There’s little diversion from the core sound on Only Coming Down and that’s a good thing given the easy-listening soul that Emerson is laying down. It gives his songs roots, leveraging Americana traditions to bolster his electric sound. While not necessarily trying to break new ground, Kyle Emerson is producing some good old rock and roll music nicely accessible to indie or traditional ears. (Kevin McStravick)